Visiting the mountains in Virginia was actually a priority for me when I got a job offer in Norfolk more than a year ago. I remember being blown away when Johnny and I made the cross-country trek from Nebraska. It was then I decided we had to make a trip. I got the thrilling opportunity to work with Rent an EV. Erick and Chelsea are a couple who understands the hustle and are working to build a business while helping others get a feel for driving electric vehicles. After an orientation, we got the keys to a Tesla Model X! In case it’s not obvious from my Instagram stories, Johnny and I love, love, love Tesla. It’s a goal to have one of our own, so being able to rent one was incredible. We brought along our good friend Toan, who gets credit for these stunning images.

Besides the obvious cool factor, Tesla’s have a ton of mind-blowing technology. Our favorite is the autopilot feature, which means the car drives itself! However, this doesn’t mean you can take a nap or be completely off guard. You still need to be attentive, but wow, driving is a completely new experience. You set a max speed limit for the adaptive cruise control and then relax. Plus, it’ll change lanes for you when you turn on the signal. Tesla will keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, slow down appropriately if that car brakes and senses surrounding vehicles. It’ll also read speed limit signs. Here is the best part: You can enjoy what’s around you. Driving the Tesla Model X into the Appalachian was breathtaking. The panoramic windshield allows for unparalleled views of the trees, mountain, sky and stars.

Most of these photos were taken along Skyline Drive, which is full of breathtaking views and vibrant colors. There are plenty of scenic overlooks where you can stop and take pictures. On our first day, it rained quite a bit when we were supposed to go on a hike. The Tesla Model X drove beautifully despite slick roads and we felt safer than ever. Plus, the falcon wing doors act as a roof so you can stay dry if you’re outside of the car. Another Tesla notable is how the car automatically unlocks and opens the driver door. At the push of a button, Johnny can also open the passenger door and any of the falcon wings. Let’s just say, driving this car through Shenandoah National Park is like a dream. Not being in one is almost like a disservice now that we know what is possible.

One of the first questions when it comes to Tesla vehicles is the battery life. This beast can go 200 to 250 miles on a single charge depending on how you drive. Rent an EV are more than happy to help you plan your trip like they did with ours. To be cautious, we made stops in both Richmond and Charlottesville at the Tesla Superchargers to get a full charge. Worrying about the battery life is pretty much inevitable, especially for us, since the charging situation is unclear in the Appalachian. However, thank goodness for regenerative braking!

P.S. if you find yourself in a Tesla with wide open road and no other cars, I highly recommend checking out Ludicrous mode. It is very similar to flying in an F/A 18!